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Ancient Silk Road Cities Unearthed in Uzbekistan’s Mountains

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Recent archaeological findings in the eastern mountains of Uzbekistan have revealed the remains of two medieval cities, challenging existing narratives about the Silk Road trade routes. This discovery not only uncovers hidden settlements but also enriches our understanding of historical trade dynamics between East and West.

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Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery of two ancient cities in the high mountains of eastern Uzbekistan, a finding that could significantly alter our understanding of the legendary Silk Road. Traditionally, the Silk Road has been associated with lowland cities; however, the use of advanced remote sensing technology has led researchers to uncover at least two high-altitude settlements that played a crucial role along the trade routes.

The larger of the two cities, named Tugunbulak, covers over 120 hectares and is situated at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). This elevation, once considered inhospitable, has surprised researchers, marking Tugunbulak as a significant urban center from the 8th to the 11th centuries, during a period dominated by a powerful Turkic dynasty. Archaeologist Farhod Maksudov, part of the research team, stated, “The history of Central Asia is now changing with this finding.”

The discovery was made possible through a collaboration between Uzbekistan’s National Center of Archaeology and Washington University in St. Louis, led by Maksudov and Michael Frachetti. Their innovative approach employed drones and a remote-sensing tool called lidar, which utilizes reflected light to generate detailed three-dimensional mappings of the terrain. The research was recently published in the scientific journal Nature and has been hailed for its potential to illuminate the lives of nomadic communities in the region.

The team initially discovered the smaller city, Tashbulak, in 2011 during a trekking expedition. They unearthed burial sites and numerous pottery shards, indicating past habitation. While historical records hinted at cities in the area, the researchers were astonished to find a 12-hectare medieval settlement located at an elevation of about 2,200 meters. “We were kind of blown away,” Frachetti remarked, noting the rough conditions faced during their expeditions, including severe winds and logistical hurdles.

A pivotal moment came in 2015 when a local forestry administrator encouraged the team to explore another site near Tashbulak, revealing that his home was built atop a medieval citadel. “He was living on a huge city,” Frachetti recalled, highlighting the unexpected nature of their findings.

One of the significant challenges the team faced was convincing the academic community of the existence and extent of these highland cities. Frachetti described skepticism from peers, who were doubtful about the scale of their findings, often dismissing them as mere mounds or ruins of lesser significance.

In 2022, the team returned with a drone outfitted with a lidar sensor, allowing them to penetrate the surface and reveal structures such as walls, guard towers, and intricate architectural features in Tugunbulak. The researchers theorize that the communities may have settled in these cities to harness strong winds for iron smelting, as the region is rich in iron ore. Preliminary excavations have also uncovered production kilns, underscoring the area’s historical significance in metal production. “Whoever had iron in their hands in medieval times was very powerful,” Maksudov explained, although he cautioned that this resource exploitation may have contributed to environmental degradation, destabilizing the region.

Traditionally, scholars anticipated settlements to be found in lower valleys, making these high-altitude discoveries particularly remarkable. Professor Peter Frankopan from Oxford University described the findings as a “treasure trove,” revealing deep interconnections across Asia and the historical exploitation of natural resources.

High-altitude urban sites are extremely rare in archaeology due to the unique challenges communities face in such environments. Zachary Silvia, an archaeologist at Brown University, noted that the team’s work represents a significant advancement in our understanding of medieval urbanism in Central Asia, contributing valuable insights into the region’s complex history.

 

Uzbekistan Turns to Electric Vehicles in Its Push for Green Energy Transition

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Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s most populous country, is taking bold steps to reduce its carbon emissions and shift towards a greener economy, with electric vehicles (EVs) playing a pivotal role in this transition. Historically dependent on fossil fuels for electricity, Uzbekistan has been ranked as one of the world’s most carbon-intensive economies by the World Bank. To combat this, the nation has introduced significant measures to encourage the adoption of EVs as part of a broader green growth strategy.

In a bid to make electric and hybrid cars more affordable, Uzbekistan eliminated excise and customs duties on these vehicles five years ago. This move slashed prices by as much as 50%, according to estimates, leading to a surge in EV sales. Over the past three years, sales of electric cars have grown tenfold, reflecting the country’s increasing commitment to green energy.

For consumers like Timur Chutbaev, a project manager based in Tashkent, the lower prices were a strong incentive to invest in an electric car. Chutbaev explained that powering his EV is far cheaper than using diesel or gasoline vehicles, given Uzbekistan’s government-subsidized electricity rates. Charging his car at home costs him just $5 for 500 kilometers (310 miles) of driving, making EV ownership both economically and environmentally attractive.

Although EVs currently account for a small share of the market, their numbers are rising. In 2022, 25,000 electric vehicles were sold out of a total of 1.7 million car sales. Chinese EV giant BYD, which dominates Uzbekistan’s imports, has further entrenched its presence by opening a plant in the Jizzakh region. With an annual capacity of 50,000 plug-in hybrids, the facility marks BYD’s first venture outside of China and is expected to serve the broader Central Asian market.

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However, the rise of EVs in Uzbekistan would not have been possible without investments in infrastructure. Alexander Abdullaev, CEO of local EV dealership Megawatt Motors, recalls the initial challenges of selling electric vehicles without an adequate network of charging stations. To promote EV adoption, his company built several charging points across Tashkent and surrounding regions and offered free charging services for two years. Today, hundreds of charging stations operate throughout the country, helping EVs become more accessible.

Despite the progress, Uzbekistan faces challenges in meeting its ambitious climate targets. By 2030, the country aims to reduce its emissions per unit of GDP by one-third from 2010 levels. While increasing the number of EVs on the road is a crucial step, it will not be enough on its own. The electricity grid that powers these vehicles is still primarily fueled by natural gas, a fossil fuel. In 2021, over 80% of the nation’s electricity came from gas, which significantly contributes to global warming.

Uzbekistan is actively investing in renewable energy to address this issue. Over the past five years, the country has boosted its renewable energy mix from 12% to 20%, with growing interest in hydropower and solar technology. David Knight, the World Bank’s lead country economist for Central Asia, emphasized that improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions are critical for Uzbekistan as its economy rapidly expands.

For now, demand for EVs remains strong, and Megawatt Motors is expanding its operations by training salespeople to cater to this burgeoning market. Abdullaev believes that Uzbekistan’s established automobile industry, which began in 1995, provides a solid foundation for producing homegrown electric vehicles in the near future. With the country’s green energy transition in full swing, Abdullaev is optimistic: “Anything is possible.”